Electron discharge device



July 16, 1946. H. M. WAGNER 2,404,113

LECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed March 31, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l YA W W"Hlll Mmm Zmventor HERBERT M. UJQGNER ,M/J#

' Gttomeg July 16, 1946. H. M.` WAGNER j 25404113 ELECTRONDISCHARGE-DEVICE I v Filed March 31., 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 '111111111'n umu" Zmnentor HERBERT LUQQNERr July 16, 1946. l I H, M WAGNER I2,404,113

` ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed March 31, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3nventor HERBERT M. UJnqNER Patented July 16, 1946 ELECTRON DISCHARGEDEVICE Herbert M. Wagner, Long Branch, N. J., assignor to RadioCorporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application March 31,1943, Serial No. 481,187

(Cl. Z50-27.5)

15 claims. l

My invention relates to electron discharge devices particularly usefulat ultra high frequencies and suitable for use as oscillators,vamplifiers or mixers.

At -ultra high frequencies it is desirable to use electron dischargedevices with circuits of the hollow conducting type, such as resonators,closed wave guides or coaxial lines. Such circuits which form closedsystems prevent spurious radiations, thus reducing losses of the radiofrequency energy generated by electron discharge devices used inconjunction with these closed systems. These closed systems also provideresonant sealing between the input and output circuits, which is aparticularly desirable feature in amplifiers as Well as in oscillators.In the case of amplifiers undesirable feedback is prevented and in thecase of oscillators, denite control of the phase relationship and theamount of feedback energy is made possible. circuits also permitpractically complete shielding between any circuits which may be used,for example, in the case of mixers where separate energizing circuitsare utilized for providing a plurality of separate voltages of differentfrequencies on an electrode or electrodes of the device being used.Conventional tubes, however, are not suitably designed for incorporationin such closed resonant circuit systems.

A further problem in connection with an electron discharge device usefulat ultra high frequency, particularly when used for transmittingpurposes, is the problem of heat dissipation due to power losses whenconventional leads and structures are employed.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved electrondischarge device useful at ultra high frequencies.

It is another vobject of my invention to provide lan electron dischargedevice useful at ultra high frequencies and particularly suitable foruse with resonators which may be, for example, of the coaxial line type.

A still further object of my invention is to provide such an electrondischarge device in which the electrode and electrode lead structure issuch as to facilitate heat dissipation due to power losses andparticularly when used with resonators which maybe of the coaxial linetype.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an electrondischarge device so designed that the electrodes form continuations ofthe walls of the resonators whereby closed conducting circuit systemsresult with the accompanying complete shielding of the device andcircuits to These closed prevent radio frequency losses and tocompletely shield the various circuits connected to the tube electrodesfrom each other.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims, but theinvention itself will best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in whichFigure l is a longitudinal section of an electron discharge device madeaccording to my invention, Figure 2 is a plan View in section takenalong the line 2-2 of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an end View with shellpartially broken away of the electron discharge device shown in Figures1 and 2 and showing the relation of the electrodes within the envelope,Figure 4 is an ultra high frequency apparatus utilizing an electrondischarge device made according to Figures 1, 2 and 3, Figure 5 is alongitudinal section of a modification of an electron discharge devicemade according to my invention, Figure 6A is a section taken along theline 6 6 of Figure 5, and Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of a stillfurther modification of an electron discharge device made according tomy invention.

Referring to Figure l an electron discharge device made according to myinvention has an envelope including in part a tubular externalshell-like member I0 having a skirt Il and an insulating closure memberor press I2 supported in a ring-like member I3 provided with outwardlyextending flange or lip I4, preferably welded to the ring-shaped elementI5, this element in turn being welded to the flange I6 of the tubularmember I0. It is obvious, of course, that ,the members I3 and I5 couldbe made as a single unit. The press I2 from Which extend the lead andsupport wires supporting the mount within the envelope of the tube isprovided with the exhaust tube I2.

The mount includes the mount assembly comprising the mica end spacersI'I and I8 between which and supported by which is the indirectly heatedcathode I9 surrounded 4by the grid 20, the side rods of which extendthrough the mica spacers. The cathode is provided with tabs, such asi9', electrically connected to the lead wires I9" which extend throughthe press I2. The grid side rods have straps, such as 2l and 22,connected to their ends, these straps in turn being welded to andelectrically connected to the ears or lugs 23-24 integrally formed withthe flange I 4 so that the grid is electrically connected to the tubularshell I0. The cathode is `means of the operating handle provided With aheater 26 (see Figure 3), having the leads and 2B which are in turnelectrically connected to the leads 21 and 28 extending through thepress for supplying the heating current to the cathode heater.

The anode comprises a pair of longitudinally extending plate elementsSil-#3| which are connected by means of the tabs 32e-33 to the elongatedtubular conducting member 34, which. extends through the top of theenvelope of the tube, The member 34 is supported and sealed to the. topof the tube by means of the ring-likev mem.- ber 35 provided with theannular deformation 36 to which the member 34 is. sealed by means of theglass seal 31. The deformation Sti-serves to take up strains due totemperature differentials during manufacture and use.

Getter supports 38 and 39 are U-shaped channels filled. with the gettermaterial and are connected to the leads 38' and 39' extending throughthe press and'to the U-shapedyoke member 24 welded to the lug 24. Thegetter may be flashed by applying a voltage between the shell l@Y andyeither of the leads.

An application of an electron discharge device i such-las shown inFigures 1 to 3 inclusive, is shown utilized inv Figure 4 in an ultrahigh frequency apparatus including concentric line resonant cavitycircuits serving as the input and the output circuits. The input circuitincludes the inner tubular member 40 and the outer tubular member 4|coaxial therewith, one end of the coaxial line being closed by theconducting member 42. The outer tubular member surrounds but is spacedfrom the skirt by means of the insu- 3 lating ring 43, preferably ofmica. The cathode leads I9" are electrically connected to the innertubular member 40 and the cathode heater leads 21 and 28 areelectrically connected to the members 44 and 45 of semi-circulartransverse section electrically insulated from each other by means ofthe insulating. strip d5 and insulated from the inner tubular member byinsulating collar 46', these elements being connected to the heaterleads 4S. The members 44 and 45 provide a by-pass condenser for R.F.currents While at the same time permitting a D, C. voltage to be`applied to the heater .of the tube.. IThe coaxial line resonator may betuned by means of a sliding condenser 5D which may be adjusted by Aninput coupling loop 42 is used.

The output coaxial line resonator includes the inner tubular memberelectrically connected to the anode cap 34 and an outer conductor 55surrounding the shell lll but insulated therefrom by means of -theinsulating ring or collar 58, preferably of mica. A closure member 51closes the ends of members 55 and 55. Tuning condenser 59 permits tuningof the output resonator by means of the adjusting handle 6| and theoutput is taken by means of the coupling loop 62.

A modification of the electron discharge device described above is shownin Figures 5 and 6. The envelope includes the tubular shell providedwith skirt 69, the lower end being closed by means of the collar-likemember 51 supporting the transverse insulating press 68. The mountwithin the envelope includes conducting disc 1] extending transverselyof the tubular member |35 and electrically connected to and supported bythe tabs 18 connected to the header 651. A pair of insulating spacingmembers 1| and 1.2 have mounted between them the indirectly heatedcathode 13 and the grid members 14 and 15 provided with the vside rods16 and 11 and 18 and 19,

respectively. The lower ends of these side rods are supported in andelectrically connected to the conducting disc 1D so that the grids areelectrically connected to the tubular member 65. The upper ends of theside rods of the grid are electrically connected to the shield membersand 3| for shielding the cathode from the anode. The anode includes thepair of plates 82 and 33 supported by means of tabs, such as 85, fromthe elongated tubular member 84 again sealed in the other end of theenvelope by means of the apertured disc-like member 85 having theannular deformation 81, the elongated member 84 being sealed t0 theinner edge of the member 86 by means of the sealing material, such asglass 83.

The cathode is indirectly heated by means of a heater,y n-ot shown, butprovided with the leads 89 and 99 extending through the tubular member53 sealed through the insulating member 68, the leads 89 and 9U beingsealed, for example, by means of beads in tubular extensions Blfand 92.The tubular member es in turn is connected to the cathode by means of.tabs, such as 13. The device may be incorporated in an apparatus, suchas shown in Figure 4, in the same manner as the electron dischargedevice shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive.

A still further modification of my invention is shown in Figure '1. Inthis arrangement a tubular shell |00 is provided with skirt lill and isclosed at one end by means of collar-like member |02 supporting thetransverse insulating press |03 sealed to member |82, which in turn issealed and electrically connected to the ange I, preferably by welding.An indirectly heated cathode |04 in the form of an inverted cup andcoatedv with emitting material |94 is supported by conductors IDE-|01extending through the press. The heater IM may have an end con nected tolead |01 and the other to lead H11. The grid |98 in the form of aninverted cup is provided with a centrally positioned apertureregistering with the emitting surface on the cathode and provided withforaminous material or screen |09. The anode |||J is in the form of anelongated element of circular transverse section, the lower end of whichregisters with the grid and cathode emitting surface. It is. supportedat the upper end of the tube andsealed thereto by means of the disc-likemember provided with an. annular deformation 2 and sealed by means ofthe ceramic material or glassseal I3.

An electron discharge device made according to my invention as describedabove is particularly suitable for use at ultra high frequencies and dueto the large conducting'surfaces to which the various electrodes aresecured, particularly the grid and the anode and the connection betweenthe anode cap, for example, and the circuit, eifective heat dissipationdue to power losses is no longer a problem. The small size of the tubeand the arrangement of the electrode elements permits operation at ultrahigh frequencies and because of the construction employed isparticularly adaptable for use in coaxial lines so prevalent at thepresent time for use at ultra high frequencies. My construction permitsthe merger of the electrode elements themselves with the circuitelements used in the combined high frequency apparatus.

While I have indicated the preferred embodiments of my invention ofwhich I am now aware and have also indicated only one specificapplication for Which my invention may be employed, it will be apparentthat my invention is by no means limited to the exact forms illustratedor the use indicated, but that many variations may be made in theparticular structure used and the purpose for which it is employedWithout departing from the scope of my inventions as set forth in theappended claims.

What I claim as new is:

1. An electron discharge device having a tubular conducting shell, aheader member closing one end of said shell and comprising a conductingring provided with a transverse flange and a transverse member ofinsulating material sealed to said ring closing one end of saidconducting shell, an electrode mount mounted on said trans- -versemember of insulating material and including a cathode and a grid, oneend of said tubular conducting shell being secured to said iiange, aconductor coaxial with said conducting shell and extending through theother end of said conducting shell, aseal between the other end of saidconducting shell and said coaxial conductor, electrically conductiveconnections between said grid and said shell, conductors for saidcathode extending through said transverse member of insulating material,an anode within said shell, and electrically conductive connectionsbetween the anode and said coaxial conductor.

2. An electron discharge device including a tubular conducting shell, atransverse insulating member closing one end of said shell and providedWith a plurality of leads and supports extending through said transverseinsulating member, an elongated conductor of circular cross sectionextending through the other end of said shell coaxially thereof andsealed thereto, an electrode mount assembly comprising a cathode, gridand anode supported within said shell, said cathode being provided witha plurality of tabs electrically connected to dierent ones of saidleads, said grid being provided with a plurality of tabs electricallyconnected to said tubular conducting shell, said elongated conductor ofcircular cross section being electrically connected to said anode.

3. An electron discharge device including a tubular conducting shell, atransverse insulating member closing one end of said shell and providedwith a plurality of leads and supports extending through said transverseinsulating member, an elongated conductor of circular cross sectionextending through the other end of said shell coaxially thereof andsealed thereto, an electrode mount assembly comprising cathode, grid andanode supported Within said shell, said cathode being provided with aplurality of tabs electrically connected to different ones of saidleads, said grid being provided with a plurality of tabs electricallyconnected to said tubular conducting shell, said elongated conductor ofcircular cross section having a plurality of tabs electrically connectedto said anode.

4. An electron discharge device including a tubular conducting shellprovided With an outwardly extending flange at one end thereof, aclosure member for said shell provided with a collar having a iiangesecured to said ange on said conducting shell, and a transverse memberof insulating material provided with a plurality of leads extendingtherethrough and sealed to said collar, an electrode mount assemblypositioned Within said shell, the longitudinal axis of which extendstransversely of said shell, said mount including a cathode and grid, anda pair of anode plates, said plates being positioned on opposite sidesof said cathode and grid, a plurality of leads extending from saidcathode and electrically connected to the leads in said transversemember of Ainsulating material, and a plurality of leads extending fromsaid grid and electrically connected to said iiange on said collar, anelongated conducting member of circular cross section extending from theother end of said tubular shell and sealed thereto, and tabs on saidconducting member, said last tabs being electrically connected to saidanode plates.

5. An electron discharge device including a tubular conducting shell, aclosure member for said shell having a transverse member of insulatingmaterial provided with a plurality of leads extending therethrough, anelectrode mount assembly positioned within said shell, the longitudinalaxis of which extends transversely of said shell, said mount including acathode and grid, and a pair of anode plates, said plates beingpositioned on opposite sides of said cathode and grid, a plurality ofleads extending from said cathode and electrically connected to theleads in said transverse member of insulating material, and a pluralityof leads extending from said grid and electrically connected to saidshell, an elongated conducting member of circular cross sectionextending from the other end of said tubular shell, and tabs on saidelongated conducting member, said last tabs being electrically connectedto said anode plates, the other end of said tubular shell being closedby a disc having a central aperture through Which said elongatedconducting member extends and provided with an annular lJ-shapeddepression, and a ring-like .seal of insulating material extendingbetween the elongated conducting member and the edge of said discadjacent said elongated conducting member.

6. An electron discharge device including atubular conducting shellhaving an outwardly extending fiange at one end thereof, a header memberclosing one end of the conducting shell and including a collar member ofconducting material provided with a flange secured to the flange on saidtubular conducting Shell, and supporting a transverse closure element ofinsulating material having a plurality of leads extending therethrough,an electrode mount assembly positioned within said shell and extendingtransversely 0f the longitudinal axis of said shell, and including apair of spaced insulating members, a cathode and a grid supportedbetween said insulating members, said cathode being electricallyconnected to said plurality of leads, and said grid to said shell` and a`pair of anode plates positioned on opposite sides of said cathode andgrid, an elongated cup-shaped tubular member axially positioned Withinthe other end of said tubular conducting shell having tabs at the lip ofsaid cup-shaped tubular member electrically connected to said anodeplates, a transverse conducting member having a central opening closingthe other end of said tubular conducting shell, and having an annularelevation positioned intermediate the outer edges of said member andsaid central opening, and an insulating seal be tween said cup-shapedtubular member and the edge of said transverse conducting member aroundsaid central opening.

7. An electron discharge device including a tubular conducting shell.means closing one end of said tubular conducting shell including anannular conducting means having a U-shaped transverse section, one legof which is sealed t0 said shell and a transverse insulating membersealed to and supported within said annular conducting member, aplurality of leads and conductors extending 'through said transverseinsulating member and an electrode mount positioned witnin said tubularshell and including a cathode, grid and an anode, said cathode beingprovided with a plurality of leads. extending from each end thereof,each of said cathode leads being electrically connected to a lead insaid transverse insulating member, said grid being provided with -aplurality of leads extending from each end thereof., said last leadsbeing electrically connected to said annular conducting means of U-shape transverse section, said anode having a pair vof .platespositioned on opposite sides of said cathode and grid, an elongatedcup-shaped conducting member extending through the other end of saidtubular conducting shell, its open end being .provided with tabselectrically connected to said anode plates and insulating meanssealing. said elongated cup-shaped conducting member to the other end ofsaid tubular conducting shell.

8. An electron discharge device including a tubular conducting shell,means closing one end of said tubular conducting shell including atransverse insulating member sealed to and supported Within one end ofsaid conducting shell, a plurality of leads and conductors extendingthrough said transverse insulating member and an electrode mountpositioned within said tubular conducting shell and including a cathode,grid and an anode, said cathode being provided with a .plurality ofleads extending from said cathode, each of said cathode leads beingelectrically connected to a lead extending through said transverseinsulating member, said grid being provided with a plurality ofconductors extending therefrom, said grid conductors being electricallyconnected to said tubular conducting shell, an elongated conductingmember coaxial with and extending through the other end of said tuularshell, one end of said elongated conducting member being electricallyconnected to said anode and insulating means sealing said elongatedelectrically conducting member to the other end of said tubular shell,and a getter support electrically connected between said conductingshell V and a lead extending through said transverse insulating member.

9. An electron discharge device including a tubular conducting shell,means closing one end of said tubular conducting shell including atransverse insulating member sealed to and supported Within one end ofsaid tubular conducting member, a plurality of leads and conductorsextending through said transverse insulating member, an electrode mountpositioned within said tubular shell and including a cathode, grid andan anode, said cathode being provided with a plurality of leads, each ofsaid cathode leads being electrically connected to a lead extendingthrough said transverse insulating member, said grid being provided witha plurality of conductors extending therefrom, said grid conductorsbeing electrically connected t said tubular conducting shell, anelongated conducting member coaxial with and extending through the otherend of said tubular shell, and electrically connected t0 said anode, andinsulating means sealing said elongated conducting member to the otherend of said tubular conducting shell.

10. An electron discharge device having a tubular conducting shell, oneend of which is closed by a transverse insulating member, a lead eX-tending through said transverse insulating member, a mount Within saidtubular conducting shell and comprising a cathode, and a pair of Vgridssurrounding said cathode, and an anode,

each of said grids being provided with a pair of oppositely disposedside rods, a transverse disc of conducting material positioned at oneend of said cathode and said grids, said side rods being iixed to andelectrically connected to said grids, said disc having an aperturethrough which s'aid cathode extends and being electrically connected tosaid tubular conducting shell, said cathode being electrically connectedto the lead in said transverse insulating member, an elongatedconducting member extending through the other end of said tubularconducting shell and insulatingly sealed thereto, and an electricalconnection beween said anode and said elongated conducting member.

ll. An electron discharge device having a tubullar conducting shell, oneend of which is closed by a transverse insulating member, a leadextending through said insulating member, a mount within said tubularconducting shell comprising a cathode, and a pair of grids surroundingsaid cathode, and an anode, each of said grids being provided with apair of oppositely disposed side rods, a transverse disc of conductingmaterial positioned at one end of said cathode and said grids, said siderods being xed to and electrically connected to said disc, said discbeing electrically connected to said tubular conducting shell and havingan aperture, and said cathode being elec- 1ically connected through saidaperture to the lead in said transverse insulating member, an elongatedconducting member extending axially through the other end of saidtubular conducting shell insulatingly sealed thereto and an electricalconnection between said anode and said elongated conducting member, thefree ends of said grids being provided with shielding means extendingbetween the side rods and shielding -the end of said cathode from saidelongated conducting member.

12. An electron discharge device having a tubular conducting shell, oneend of which is closed by a transverse insulating member, a mount withinsaid tubular conducting shell and including an indirectly heatedcathode, a heater for said cathode and an anode, an elongated conductingmember extending axially through the other end of said tubularconducting shell and insulatingly sealed thereto and an electricalconnection between said anode and said elongated conducting member, saidtransverse insulating member having a tubular conducting memberextending through and sealed thereto, said cathode heater having leadsextending through said last named tubular conducting member and sealedtherein, said tubular conducting member being electrically connected tosaid cathode.

13. An electron discharge device having a tubular conducting shell, oneend of which is closed by a transverse insulating member, a leadextending through said insulating member. a mount within said tubularshell comprising a cathode, a grid and an anode, said grid beingprovided with a pair of oppositely disposed side rods, a transverse discof conducting material positioned at one end of said cathode and grid,said side rods being fixed to and electrically connected to said disc,said disc being electrically connected to said tubular conducting shelland having an aperture through which said cathode extends and iselectrically connected to the lead extending through said transverseinsulating member, an elongated conducting member extending axiallythrough the other end of said tubular conducting shell and insulatinglysealed thereto, and an electrical connection between said anode and saidelongated conducting member.

14. An electron discharge device having a tubular conducting shell, oneend of which is closed by a transverse insulating member, a mount withinsaid tubular conducting shell and including an indirectly heatedcathode, a heater for said cathode, a grid and an anode, a transversedisc of conducting material positioned adjacent said transverseinsulating member and electrically connected to said grid, and having anaperture through which said cathode extends, said disc beingelectrically connected to said tubular conducting shell, a lead for saidanode extending axially through the other end of said tubular conductingshell and insulatingly sealed thereto, said transverse insulating memberhaving a tubular conducting member extending through and sealed to saidinsulating member, and tabs on said tubular conducting memberelectrically connected to said cathode, said heater having leadsextending through said tubular conducting member and sealed therein.

15. An electron discharge device having a tubular conducting shell,means closing one end of said shell and including an annular memberhaving a central aperture, said central aperture being sealed by atransverse insulating member, said annular member being provided with aflange-like element,'a cathode and grid Within said tubular conductingshell and a plurality of supporting leads extending between said gridand said ange-like element, and a lead extending through said transverseinsulating member and electrically connected to said cathode, saidtubular conducting shell being sealed to a portion of said flange-likeelement, an anode Within said tubular conducting shell and conductingmeans extending axially through the other end of said tubular conductingshell and electrically connected to said anode, and means supporting andsealing said conducting means to said other end of said tubularconducting shell and including a ring-like element having an annulardeformation intermediate its edges, the outer edge of said ring-likeelement being sealed to said tubular conducting shell and the inner edgeof said ring-like element being sealed to said conducting means.

HERBERT M. WAGNER.

